The situation for Russian forces in the Belgorod direction has continued to deteriorate, with Ukrainian drone strikes, poor leadership, and collapsing troop morale combining into one of the most serious crises Russia has faced since the start of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
According to reports from Euromaidan Press, Russian soldiers in the area are suffering massive casualties and a breakdown in discipline, particularly due to rising alcohol abuse. The result has been chaos on the battlefield, with Russian troops reportedly launching disorganised, alcohol-fuelled assaults reminiscent of reckless Rambo-style attacks, further weakening their positions.
After Ukraine’s initial push into the Belgorod region, the Russian military rushed in thousands of reinforcements in an attempt to hold ground. Many of these forces were detected in transit and subsequently destroyed by Ukrainian air strikes. This prevented Russia from mounting any meaningful counterattack, leaving their forces scattered and demoralised.
Without effective support or proper command structures, Russian commanders have reverted to crude infantry tactics, sending troops into narrow tree lines and forested terrain in desperate efforts to reach the villages of Demidivka and Popivka. The topography of the area, with its deep gullies, river valleys, and high relief, offers minimal protection, though Russian units are attempting to use the landscape for cover from Ukrainian fire. Once inside the villages, Russian soldiers hide in the ruins of abandoned homes, basements, and cellars to avoid being targeted.
In response, Ukrainian forces have leaned heavily on drone surveillance and FPV drone strikes, actively tracking Russian movements through the forests and marking buildings for aerial attacks. Ukrainian squads equipped with modern weapons are stationed in and around the villages, prepared to intercept and eliminate Russian troops attempting to move across open ground.
Continuous Ukrainian surveillance has disrupted Russian supply lines. Footage from the front lines shows Russian soldiers weighed down with heavy packs, forced to carry extended supplies due to the near impossibility of regular resupply. This isolation, combined with constant Ukrainian pressure, has further crippled Russian morale.
